12th & Wedgewood

Yesterday, I did my first outdoor run since May.
Breaking News!
I did my first outdoor run since May!

Before I even changed into running gear, I knew the run would be horrible. I'd been dreading it all afternoon. I'd been hiding in the cool confines of the YMCA for the past two weeks and getting to know my old friend the treadmill all over again.

The course I chose is a 4 mile loop that I've done on more than one occasion. The first half is fairly hilly and takes you right through my favorite Nashville neighborhood. About a half a mile into the run, I realized I had mistakenly chosen to run on the sunny side of the street. Even though I was wearing my trusty visor, the sun still beat down on me and I felt every single degree of those 93 recorded for the day.

Breathing heavily, and rotating between cursing myself for feeling this out of shape and trying to stick with a running mantra, "You are entirely up to you", I finally reached the top of the hill.

Instead of doing a Rocky-like arms in the air victory jump (I wasn't even half way done), I slowed down to reluctantly turn the corner and keep on running very slowly shuffle-jog.  At the same moment I slowed down, I passed a bus stop occupied by a man with a cooler and a homemade sign.

Bottled Water $1.00

The man hocking the water, turned towards me "Hey! Gurl. Gurl, slow down." I politely closed mouth smiled at him and took another step away from him and around the corner. "Hey! Runna' Girl!"

I looked over my shoulder for one tenth of a second to see the man standing on the corner of 12th Avenue South and Wedgewood hand me an ice cold bottle of water...for free. 

Obviously, this man was selling water at a busy intersection to make a little extra cash. Whether he was down on his luck or not, he took the time to give a red-faced, mentally and physically exhausted runner a little relief. Free of charge. 

I profusely thanked him and smiled as I ran down the hill and out to finish the last of my horrible 4 miler. I wish I could tell you that my run was so much easier due to the man's gesture. It wasn't, at all. 

That ice cold bottle of water reminded me that kindness can be exactly what someone needs at the moment. Kindness is free and it's refreshing. Now it's my turn to pay it forward.

Hebrews 13:1-2 - Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Who will you be kind to today?